Study: Will Reading Regularly Keep You Thin?

A scale that measures interest in ideas, art, and knowledge—by surveying the amount of time spent reading, attending cultural events, going to movies, and using the Internet—is associated as strongly as exercise with a lower body-mass index, or BMI (a measure of weight relative to height). In other words, reading and exercise appear similarly beneficial in terms of BMI.

In contrast, people participating in other activities such watching TV, socializing, playing cards, attending sporting events, and shopping have higher average BMI. Although time spent reading and time spent watching TV both expend few calories, one is associated with lower weight, and the other with higher weight.

….More highly educated people tend to both read more and weight less. Perhaps knowledge gained from schooling gives insight into the importance of proper weight for good health. In addition, mastering difficult coursework in college can help build confidence in one’s ability to reach difficult goals–including managing weight.

….That said, the association between BMI and reading and related activity can still be found even after controlling for education and other measures of socioeconomic status.

The article provides a summary of the study, but I want to take the time to read the research itself. I may be able to incorporate it as a minor, but attention-getting, part of a lesson on the importance of reading.

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